The Social Welfare Department (JKM) of Malaysia announced that the number of registered persons with disabilities (PwDs) diagnosed with autism increased eightfold to 90,459 as of April 30, 2026, compared with figures from 2015 [1, 2]. The total number of PwDs registered under JKM reached 839,535 by the end of April 2026 [1, 2].
Among the registered PwDs, 339,097 individuals, accounting for 40.39%, fall under the category of learning disabilities, which remains the largest disability group recorded by JKM [1, 2].
JKM attributed the significant increase in autism registrations to successful public awareness and educational campaigns conducted jointly with state governments and the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) [1, 2]. Datuk Che Murad Sayang Ramjan, director-general of JKM, said, "Possibly in 2015, many children already had autism, but many people still did not fully understand or realise what autism was until awareness increased through the many programmes implemented" [1, 2].
In April 2026, JKM started registration for autistic children at the Bangi Autism Service Centre (Pusat Perkhidmatan Autisme, PPA), a pilot project aimed at providing structured early intervention and multidisciplinary therapy for children aged two to eighteen years [1, 2]. Managed by JKM in partnership with NASOM and the Damansara Damia/Damai Community-Based Rehabilitation Centre, the centre is expected to begin full operations in June 2026 [1, 2]. Datuk Che Murad added, "The facility was designed to ease the burden on parents seeking appropriate treatment, intervention and therapy services for their children" [1, 2].
The Southern Zone Basic Care Seminar for Senior Citizens and PwDs recently took place in Melaka, coinciding with the Rhythm of Harmonious Life (RHYTHM) programme. The event was attended by state Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Datuk Kalsom Nordin [1, 2].
JKM’s next milestone is the official opening of the Bangi Autism Service Centre in June 2026, which will expand access to specialized services for autistic children in Malaysia.
